Head lamp meter



April 16, 1940. L. 1.. SMALLEY 2,197,487

HEAD LAMP METER Filed May 5, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR LEE LEMHLLEYATTORN EY P 1940- L. 1... SMALLEY HEAD LAMP METER Filed May 5, 1957 6Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR F 1 w 2 L3.- A. 5%4440 X6! m ATTORNEY April 16,1940. L. L. SMALLEY HEAD LAMP METER Filed May 5, 19s? 6 Sheets-Sheet I53 My mmWm E 0 V T mcm/um 4% g April 16, 1940- L. L. SMALLEY HEAD LAMPMETER Filed May 5, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 as I VE ICHL l INVENTOR L55 1..SMALLEY ATTORNEY April 16, 1940- L. 1.. SMALLEY 2,197,487

HEAD LAMP METER Filed May 5, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR ATTORNEYApril 16, 1940. L. SMALLEY HEAD LAMP METER Filed May 5, 1957 N R EM 0 ww 15 5. 8 &

Patented Apr. 16, 1940 UNITED STATES HEAD LAMP METER Lee L. Smalley,South Bend, Ind., casino: to Bendix Products Corporation, South Bend,Incl,

a corporation of Indiana Application May 5, 1937, Serial No. 140,845

6 Claims.

If the light source is behind a focal point of the reflector the lightrays diverge thereby producing a blind spot, or sector of low lightintensity at the central portion of the shaft of light transmitted. Ifthe light source is ahead of the focal point of the reflector, the raysof light converge and cross thereby'producing the blind 80 spot or pointof low light intensity in the central portion of the shaft of lighttransmitted from the headlight. Various 'expedients have been resortedto in an effort to overcome the clifliculties thus encountered such forexample as the various 2% focusing devices utilized by certainmanufacturers, whereby the lamp may be moved longitudinally withreference to the reflector until the focal point, or point of greatestlight intensity is reached.

30 The cylindrical shaft of light thus transmitted by the reflector isgenerally too concentrated and narrow to properly illuminate thehighway, and has the further disadvantage that it blinds or impedes thevision of the occupants of vehicles 35 travelling in the oppositedirection on the highway. In an effort to avoid these disadvantages, andalso to protect the reflector, a lens is customarily employed to bendthe rays of light in such a manner as to produce more uniform light- 40ing of the highway, and to confine the principal portion of the lightrays below a horizontal plane parallel to the surface of the road. Manydifferent forms of lenses having various combinations of prisms orflutes may be employed, to dif- 45 fuse the light vertically andhorizontally in a de sired manner.

In view of the importance of having "proper and adequate lightingequipment on vehicles considerable attention has recently been directed50 to this phase of vehicle operation. A number of states have enactedlaws governing the operation I of the lighting equipment of vehicles, inan effort to avoid the hazards encountered in the operation of faultyheadlighting equipment.

as It is particularly important that the headlights be aimed in a.direction to light the highway for a suflicient distance in front vofthe vehicle to permit the operator to see objects in sumcient time tostop the vehicle, from any speed at v which the vehicle may be running,before it 6 reaches the object. It is therefore desirable that theheadlights be positioned in such a manner as to direct the light as fardown the road as possible, consistent with the necessity that the lightsbe sufficiently low as not to shine in the 10 eyes of occupants ofvehicles travelling in the opposite direction on the highway.

A loading allowance, defined as the angular deflection of the headlightsclue to the loading of the rear portion of the vehicle must also betaken into consideration in connection with headlight design andmaintenance.

In view of the fact that the lighting equipment of vehicles is normallysubjected to rather severe operating conditions which tend to alter theadjustment thereof to misdirect the light emanating therefrom, it isdesirable that means he provided to quickly check the headlightingequipment of vehicles to determine whether they are in satisfactoryoperating condition.

An object of this invention is therefore to provide means for checkingthe lighting equipment of motor vehicles to determine whether it is inproper operating condition.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for determiningthe direction of the light rays emanating from the headlight.

Another object of the invention is to provide a light sensitive cell toindicate the intensity of the light transmitted from a headlight. Yetafurther object of the invention is to provide a headlight tester, whichmay be operated rapidly to determine whether or not the headlightingequipment falls within predetermined approvable limits.

Yet a still further object is to provide means whereby a light sensitivecell may be accurately aligned with the headlight to indicate the point'of maximum light intensity transmitted from I the headlight.

Another object is to provide means including scales to accuratelydetermine the direction of the shaft of light of greatest intensityemanating from the headlight.

A still further object is to provide manually operable adjusting meansto accurately align the headlight tester with the direction of travel ofthe vehicle.

A further object is to provide means including a condensing lens and ascreen to determine the mitted from a headlight.

Yet a still further object of the invention is to provide visual meansfor checking the intensity of a confined shaft of light emanating from aheadlight.

Another object is to provide an electrically actuated meter operablyconnected to a light sensitive cell adapted to receive a restrictedamount of light from a headlight to indicate the intensity of the lighttransmitted.

A' further object is to provide a counterbalanced casing enclosing arestricted tube wherein a plurality of manually operable devices areprovided to accurately align the tube with the point of greatest lightintensity transmitted from the headlight.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description, considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings submitted for purposes of illustration only and.not intended to define the scope of the invention, reference being hadfor that purpose to the subjoined claims.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters refer to similarparts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section,

of a headlight tester embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevation, partly in section, of the deviceillustrated in Figure 1, as viewed from the righthand side thereof:

Figure 3 is a plan view of the device illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a view illustrating the fixed and movable scales;

Figure 5 is a side sectional elevation of the mechanism illustrated inFigure 6;

Figure 6 is a view taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure '7 is an end elevation, partly in section, of a portion of Figure1;

Figure 8 is a plan view, partly in section, of a portion of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a portion of Figure1;

Figure 10 is a view taken substantially on the line I8I8 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a view, partly in section, taken substantially on the lineIIII of Figure 2;

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on the line l2-I2 of Figure 1;

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken on the line I3-I3 of Figure 5; and

Figure 14 is a fragmentary bottom view of a portion of Figure 13.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown forpurposes of illustrating this invention, a headlight tester positionedin operative relation with reference to a headlight l8 of a motorvehicle I2. A generally rectangular shaped box I4 is positioned betweena pair of standards or columns I6. The standards I6 are fixed withreference to a base I8 having rollers 20 and 22. The rollers 28 areadapted to roll in a track 24, to move the light tester laterally withreference to the vehicle I2.

The box I4 is supported by cables 26 connected to counterweights 28slidable in the standards I6. The cables 26 pass over pulleys 38positioned at the top of the standards I8, and pass around a verticalcarriage 32. The counterweights 28 balance the weight of the box l4 andthe vertical carriage 32. The vertical carriage general relation of thelight beam pattern trans 32 is provided with spaced rollers 34 adaptedto be received in tracks 38 fixed to thestandards I6, as more clearlyshown in Figure 12, to facilitate moving the carriage vertically.Handwheels 3| connected to the pulleys 38 are provided to raise andlower the vertical carriage 32 and the box I4. The box I4 and thecarriage 32 may also be raised or lowered by merely applying pressurethereto in the direction in which it is desired to move them.

The box I4 is slidably mounted laterally with reference to the verticalcarriage 32 on anti-friction members 38 interposed between rails 48carried by the vertical carriage 32, and rails 42 carried by brackets 44operably connected to a member 46 supporting the box I4. The box I4 maybe moved laterally by means of a handwheel 48 operably connected to apinion 58 positioned to mesh with a geared rack 52 supported by abracket 54 fixed to the brackets 44.

The box I 4 is supported on a leveling plate 56 having a sphericalmember 58 fixed thereto. The member 46 is provided with a sphericalindentation 68 adapted to receive the spherical member 58. A pin 62projects through the spherical member 58, and is limited to verticalmovement by means of a bifurcated guide 64 fixed to the member 48.

The box I4 may be tilted longitudinally about the spherical members 58and 68 by means of a leveling screw 66. Movement of the leveling screw66 compresses or permits expansion of a spring 68 interposed between theleveling plate 56 and the member 46, the pin 62 moving in the uide 84.

The box l4 may be tilted laterally about the spherical members 58 and 68by means of a leveling screw 18. Movement of the leveling screw 18compresses or permits expansion of a spring 12 interposed between theleveling plate 56 and the member 48, the pin 62 rotating about its ownaxis in the guide 64.

The spherical member 58 is restrained against upward movement withreference to the spherical indentation 68 by means of a stud 14 passingthrough an enlarged aperture in the member 68, and a spring 16 whichyieldingly urges spherical washers 18 and into engagement with thespherical members 58 and 68.

An oscillating plate 82 is pivotally mounted on a bolt 84 to turn on theleveling plate 56. A bracket 86 fixed to the leveling plate 56 engages anut 88. A screw 98 fixed longitudinally in bearings 92 carried by theoscillating plate 82 engages the nut 88 to move the box I4 withreference to the leveling plate 56 upon actuation of thumb screws 94fixed to the screw 98.

A graduated sector 96 fixed to the developing plate 56 cooperates with amovable zero reference member 98 carried by a sector I88 fixed to theoscillating plate 82, to indicate the angular deflection of the box I4with reference to the leveling plate 56.

Means are provided to move the box I4 longitudinally with reference tothe member 46. A track I 82 fixed to the oscillating plate 82 cooperateswith another track I84 carried by the box I4 to confine therebetween aplurality of balls I86 separated by spacers I88 to permit the box I4 tobe moved longitudinally with reference to the vertical carriage 32.

A light sensitive cell H8 is positioned on a bracket H2 in the box I4.Area restricting means, such, for example, as a tube H4 is universallymounted at one end in the forward portion of the box I4. The other endof the tube I I4 is fixed to the bracket II2.

Means are provided tomove the rear end of the tube H4 and the cell IIOlaterally and vertically in the box I4.

The cell H0 and the bracket II2 are, as disclosed in Figure 13,pivotally connected to laterally movable U-shaped member II6 receivedbetween laterally disposed guides IIB and I20 slidably supported onspindles I22; This connection includes U-shaped clips I23 and I23connected by a pin I23". As disclosed in Figure 13, theclips arepivotally connected to the bracket I I2 and to the upper portion ofU-shaped member II6, the latter at its base portion being slotted, asdisclosed in Figure 14, to receive a pin I24 extending from the end ofthe bracket II2. Auxiliary spindles I24 cooperate with the spindles I22to support the upper and lower plates I26 and I28 respectively.

The cell H0 and the end of the tube II4 may be moved verticallvby meansof the elevating screw I30 passing through a threaded member I32 carriedby the guide I20. The elevating screw I30 is provided with a knob I34projecting through the top of the box I4.

The cell H0 and the end of thetube II4 may be moved laterally in the boxI4 by means of a splined driving shaft I36 having a knob I38 fixedthereto. A sprocket I40 slidably mounted on the shaft I36 and rotatablymounted in the guides M8 and I20, drives a chain I42. The chain I42passes over laterally spaced sprockets rotatably mounted on studs I44interposed between the guides M8 and I20. The chain I42 is connected tothe laterally movable member II6 to move the cell I I0 and the end ofthe tube II4 laterally between the guides II8 and I20.

A level I46'carried by the plate I26 is provided to indicate when theguides I I8 and I2!) are level.

A meter I48 having a dial I50 and a pointer I52 is provided to indicatethe intensity of the light to which the cell I I0 is subjected. Themeter I48 is oscillatably mounted on the box I4 so that it may be turnedso that it may be observed from various angles.

A scale support I including spaced glasses I62 is mounted on the plateI26. A pair of fixed upstanding scales I64 disposed back to back aremounted transversely on the plate I 26 between the spaced glasses I62.The scales I64 are provided with horizontally extending zero referencelines I66, and laterally spaced graduations I68 extending laterally inboth directions from a central zero reference mark "0 to measure thelateral deviation of the light beam in inches at twenty-five feet, whichis of course equivalent to feet of deviation at a distance of threehundred feet. The scales I64 are also provided with laterally spacedgraduations M2 to measure degrees of light beam deviation.

A pair of movable scales I14 carried by the laterally movable member II6project through laterally extending apertures in the plate I26 and aremovable laterally and vertically between the fixed scales I64 and thespaced glasses I62 by means of the knobs I34 and I38.

The vertical scales II4 are provided with vertically extending zeroreference lines I16, and vertically spaced indication marks I'I8 tomeasure the vertical deflection of the light beam in inches attwenty-five feet. The scales II4 are also provided with verticallyspaced graduations I80 to measure degrees of vertical-light beamdeviation.

A viewing screen 200 may be mounted on the box I4. The screen 200 ispreferably carried by a standard 202 pivotally mounted at 204 so thatthe screen and standard may be turned to an inoperative position asillustrated, when not in use.

It has been found from experiments with various types of headlights thata so-called standard pattern may beproduced for any type of headlight. Acard marked to indicate the proper light If desired a condensing lens2I0 may be pivotally mounted at 2I2 on the box I4 to condense the lightpattern, formed by the light being tested, on the screen 200 forpurposes of comparison.

A forward sight 220 and a rear sight 222 carried at the top of the scalesupport I60 may be employed to align the box I4 with the central line ofthe vehicle I2, the lights of which are being sub- .lccted to test. Amarker 226 carried by the forward sight 220 may be employed toaccurately align the screen 200 or the condensing lens 2I0 with thecentral portion of the light being tested.

The operation of this light tester is as follows. The car I2, the lightsof which are to be tested is posit oned in such a manner that the lightsI0 thereof will be as nearly parallel as possible, and adjacent, withthe track 24. The light tester is then rolled on the track 24 in frontof the vehicle. The box I4 is then accurately aligned with the centralportion of the vehicle I2 by lining up the sights 220 and 222 with thecentral portion of the vehicle. The box I4 may be turned angularly bymeans of the thumb screws 94 to oscillate the box I4 with reference tothe member 46 to accurately align the device with the central portion ofthe vehicle. The light tester is then moved on the track 24 until theforward end of the box I4 is positioned directly in front of one of theheadlights I0 to be tested. The thumb screws 66 and I0 may then beactuated to oscillate the box I4 longitudinally and laterally to levelthe plate I 26.

The level I46 may of course be observed to indicate when the plate islevel.

The handwheel 48 may then be actuated to move the box I4 with referenceto the vertical carriage 32 to accurately align the forward end of thebox I4 with reference to the desired portion of the light I0.

The light is then turned on, whereupon the light sensitive cell I I0will be subjected to the restricted quantity of light passing throughthe tube H4 when the tube H4 and cell II 0 are in the path of the lightbeam. The pointer I52 of the meter I48 moves over the dial I 50 toindicate the intensity of the light to which the cell IIO is subjected.

The knobs I34 and I38 may then be actuated to move the rear end of thetube I I4 and the cell IIO vertically and laterally in the box I4 tolocate the angular direction of the light rays of greatest intensityemanating from the headlight I0. When the meter I48 indicates that thepoint of maximum light intensity has been reached, therelation betweenthe movable scale "4 and the fixed scale I64 may be observed to indicatethe ing from'the headlight.

The graduations I18 of the movable scale I14 may be read against thezero reference line I66 of the fixed scale I64 to indicate inches ofvertical light beam deviation at a distance of twenty-five feet, or feetof light beam deviation at a distance of three hundred feet. The zeroreference line I16 of the movable scale I I4 may then be read againstthe graduations I68 of the fixed scale I64 to indicate inches of lightbeam deviation laterally at a distance of twenty-five feet or feet oflateral light beam deviation at a distance of three hundred feet, leftor right depending on where the zero reference line I16 of the movablescale lies with reference to the zero reference character of the scaleI68. It will be apparent that the graduations I86 of the movable scaleI14 may be read with the graduations I12 of the fixed scale I64 toindicate vertical andlateral light beam deviation in degrees.

It will of course be apparent that the meter I48 may be turned so thatit may be read from any desired angle to facilitate making suitablecorrections of the headlight ID to correct the light emanatingcharacteristics of the light to conform to predetermined requirements.The vertical and movable scales I14 and IE4 respectively being doublefaced may be observed from either side.

If desired a door I84 may be opened by means of the knob I86 to observethe light sensitive cell I I while the test is in progress. I After oneheadlight has been tested the box I4 may be moved longitudinally withreference to the columns I6, and the device rolled laterally to alignthe box with the other light to be tested. The box I4 may then be movedlongitudinally into operative position with reference to the other lightto be tested, and the testing of that light effected in the same. manneras indicated above.

It will be observed that the movable zero reference member 98 carried bythe sector IIJIJ may be positioned adjacent the zero reference characterof the sector 96 to indicate the proper aligned position of the box I4with reference to the headlights. It is therefore unnecessary to alignthe box angularly to test the second light in the event that the vehiclehas not been moved.

After the direction of the light transmitted from the headlights hasbeen determined the reading of the meter I48 will of course be observedto determine whether or not the intensity of the light falls withinpredetermined limits.

It will be understood that this invention is not to be limited totesting vehicle headlights as it may be employed to test any lightemanating member, or the principle may also be applied to remoteindicators for various types of equipment such, for example, as serviceequipment such as brake testers, wheel aligners, dynamometers, etc.,wherein the light from a light source of varying intensity. controlledby a movable element of the service apparatus to indicate the efficiencyof the member being tested, is directed to a light sensitive celloperably connected to a meter, employed to indicate whether the memberbeing subjected to test falls within desirable predetermined limits.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to alimited number of desirable embodiments, it is to be understood thatvarious changes may be made in the arrangement of parts and the detailsof construction of the moving and indicating mechanisms withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention as defined by the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. A device for testing vehicle headlights comprising a base, a pair ofspaced columns on the base, a box mounted between the columns, means tomove the box laterally, vertically and longitudinally with reference tothe columns, an aperture in the forward end of said box, a tube withinthe box universally pivotally connected at one end to said box adjacentsaid aperture, 9. light sensitive cell connected to said tube at itsother end so as to receive light passing through the tube, means to movesaid tube and cell about said pivotal connection, means to indicate theintensity of light to which the cell is subjected, and means actuated bythe movement of the tube to indicate the position of said tube withreference to a predetermined normal position of the tube.

2. A device for testing vehicle headlights comprising a track, a basehaving rollers adapted to engage the track, supporting means carried bythe base, a box carried by the supporting means, a level on the box,manually operable means to level the box longitudinally andtransversely, manually operable means to move the box angularly in anapproximately horizontal plane with reference to the supporting means, atube within the box universally pivotally connected at its one end tothe forward end of said box, an aperture in the box adjacent saiduniversal connection, a light sensitive cell rigidly attached to saidtube adjacent its other end and positioned to receive light transmittedthrough the tube, manually operable means to move the box vertically,laterally, and longitudinally with reference to the supporting means,manually operable means to move said tube and the light sensitive cellabout the pivotal connection, means to indicate the intensity of thelight to which the cell is subjected, and means actuated by the movementof the tube to indicate the position of said tube with reference to apredetermined normal position of the tube.

3. In a testing device for vehicle headlights, a support, means mountedon said support and provided with an aperture for selecting andrestricting an area of a headlight, elongated light transmitting meansfor confining and transmitting light emanating from said selected andrestricted area of the headlight as determined by said aperture, meansfor mounting said light transmitting means on the support for universalpivotal movement thereof about a point immediately adjacent saidaperture, a light sensitive cell positioned to receive at all times thelight transmitted through said light transmitting means, light intensityindicating means connected to said cell, means for moving said lighttransmitting means universally pivotally about said point immediatelyadjacent said aperture to determine the position at which maximum lightintensity derived from the selected area and passing through saidaperture obtains at said cell, and means actuated by movement of saidlight transmitting means to indicate the extent of displacement of thelight transmitting means from a predetermined reference position.

4. A device for testing vehicle headlights comprising a base, supportingmeans carried by the base, a box carried by the supporting means, meansto move the box laterally, longitudinally, and vertically with referenceto the supporting means, counterbalancing means associated with thesupporting means to facilitate vertical movement of the box, a level onthe box, means associated with the supporting means to level the boxlongitudinally and transversely, a tubular light-transmitting memberwithin the box and having its one end adapted to receive the lightemanating from a selected and restricted area of the headlight,universal mounting means for said a tubular member in the forward end ofsaid box,

a light sensitive cell within the box, means for maintaining said cellin light exchange relationship at all times with the other end of saidtubular member, means to move the tubular member universally pivotallyin said mounting means to locate the position of the tube at whichgreatest light intensity obtains at said cell, and means actuated bymovement of the tubular member to indicate the position of the tubularmember relative to a predetermined line through the selected area.

5. A device for testing vehicle headlights comprising a base, a pair ofspaced columns on the base, a box mounted between the columns,adjustable means to level the box longitudinally and transversely, atube within the box uni versally pivotally mounted on the forward end ofthe box adjacent one end of said tube, an aperture in the end of the boxadjacent said pivotal connection, a light sensitive cell within the box,means for maintaining said cell at all times in light exchangerelationship with the other end of the tube to receive light transmittedthrough said tube, means to indicate the intensity of light to which thecell is subjected, means to move the box laterally, vertically, andlongitudinally with reference to the columns to bring the first namedend of the tube into juxtaposition with a selected and restricted areaof. the headlight, means to move said tube about said pivotalconnection, and means actuated by movement of said tube to indicate theposition of the tube with reference to a predetermined line through theselected area.

6. A device for testing vehicle headlights comprising a box, a tubewithin the box universally pivotally connected to the forward end of thebox adjacent one end of the tube, a light sensitive cell within the box,means for maintaining said cell at all times in light exchangerelationship with the other end of said tube thereby to receive lighttransmitted through the tube, means to indicate the intensity of thelight received by said cell, means to move said tube about said pivotalconnection, and means for indicating the displacement of the tube from apredetermined reference position relative to the box comprising a scalecarried by the box, a second scale carried by the tube, said secondscale being positioned in cooperative relationship at all times with thefirst scale, said scales having their graduations extending at rightangles to each other.

LEE L. SMALLEY.

